Captain Duvall stood waiting to be admitted into the king's chambers. "The king is waiting," the servant boy told him as he gestured toward the door. King Louis sat on the couch surrounded by fruit and cheese; he looked up frowning slightly as he closed up a letter, which looked to be long.
"Some fruit, captain?" the young King offered, as he was officially King of France now. The ceremonies had commenced only a fortnight ago. King Louis stuffed a grape in his mouth as Duvall shook his head and sat on the chair opposite the king as he had motioned for him to do. "Leave us," Louis demanded and the assembly left. Duvall looked around and wondered why Mazarin had not been in there.
"I have a mission for your musketeers of the utmost importance," he sighed then continued. "You remember King Charles of England?" Duvall nodded, trying not to grimace, 'King Charles' had gotten one of his best musketeers arrested and outlawed, and another one almost outlawed. "I've had a letter from him; he's gotten rid of his 'would be assassins' and officially taken the throne. He wants a treaty between England and France; he has offered me papers of treason from within my palace and the offer of help to rid us of these persons. I offer him my good faith and a case of jewels."
He stopped and looked at Duvall who was nodding and wondering where the musketeers fit in. "Only us, and your most trusted musketeers are to be made aware of this until it's completed. Charles requested Laponte and D'artagnan for the mission I am about to explain." Duvall nodded slightly; at least he knew why Mazarin was absent.
He could not mess it up if he did not know about it. "The treaty." Louis continued after holding it up, "Must be sent to England in D'artagnan and Laponte's care, as well as the jewels. It will require them to travel two days to Le Havre and nearly a fortnight on a boat to London."
"Anything else your majesty?" Duvall asked.
"Yes, rumors of a sort may have gotten around, so Charles also requested they travel in disguise as husband and wife. He mentioned Laponte having a sister that looked like him. Use him as the wife. Also, you must try to cover up their absence as best as possible. Have them report to me after nightfall." Duvall stood and bowed. "You majesty, D'artagnan and Laponte will complete the mission at all costs."
Louis nodded and turned to the door, "My musician; I want Music."
Jacque or Jacqueline stood in front of her mirror carefully binding herself in her musketeer disguise. She carefully brushed her hair and stood thinking, as it was still dark outside.
"How's your sister?" D'artagnan had asked her two months before, not a hint of his usual sarcasm, only concern. Their relationship was different now. They did not exactly avoid each other but they did not actively seek each other as they had. D'artagnan had ceased most of his teasing and casual flirting. She had not seen D'artagnan entertaining a woman since the 'incident' the one in which Charles had announced without her confirmation that she was going to England to marry him.
She remembered all too well the looks and silent words they had exchanged during that moment. After that, everything between them had changed. She needed to practice, change her thoughts. She opened her door and headed down the hall to Siroc's laboratory. Just as expected, both Siroc and Ramon where there, up and dressed.
"Anyone up for some practice? Looser buys breakfast," she said in her best man voice.
"Ah, mi amigo, I will fight you," Ramon said. Siroc, who was thoroughly entranced in some invention, shooed them out.
D'artagnan had been dreaming. The same dream he had dreamed for two months. The one that had happened, expect Jacqueline had went with Charles to England. Sweat covered him as he climbed out of bed and pulled on clothes.
"Hey, D'artagnan, captain wants us, says it's urgent," Siroc said poking his head in. D'artagnan followed him to the courtyard rubbing his eyes. "Where are Jacque and Ramon?" Siroc sighed, "Already there, waiting for us."
Duvall gave D'artagnan a stern look as he entered, and then turned to the four musketeers. "King Louis and King Charles are forming a treaty. It is secret and Mazarin is not aware of any of this." Four relieved faces greeted him. "D'artagnan and Jacque will be leading the mission of taking the treaty and jewels to England."
He stopped for breath. "As it is dangerous and top secret, they will travel in disguise as husband and wife. I am told Laponte you have a sister? You will play wife, D'artagnan, husband. Report to King Louis after nightfall. We will make your excuses here." Jacque looked horrified and D'artagnan suppressed a smile. "Dismissed." Siroc ran off muttering something about inventing a chest for Jacque, and Ramon walked with him.
D'artagnan was left to turn toward Jacqueline who turned to him, "Well, guess it's just us," he said. Jacqueline stood glaring at him before turning and leaving him alone to think about the next several weeks.